Sikorsky debuts drone that combines best features from helicopters, airplanes

Sikorsky Aircraft has successfully tested its “rotor blown wing” unmanned aerial system (UAS), which combines the capabilities of both rotorcraft, such as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The prototype, a twin prop-rotor, battery-powered drone, weighs 52 kilograms and has a 3-meter wingspan made from composite materials, Caliber.Az reports citing The Defense Post.

“Integrating helicopter and airplane flight characteristics into a flying wing showcases Sikorsky’s commitment to innovating next-generation VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) UAS aircraft that can achieve greater speed and range than traditional helicopters,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky’s Vice President and General Manager.

Founded in 1925 by the legendary Russian-American aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky, Sikorsky Aircraft has long been a leader in vertical lift innovations. The new VTOL drone is designed for operations in areas without runways, making it suitable for missions such as search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian aid, and pipeline surveying.

The autonomous UAS can be scaled up for hybrid-electric propulsion, expanding its applications to long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as crewed/uncrewed teaming operations.

Now a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky developed the VTOL drone in about a year with a focus on rapid and cost-effective reproduction. The aircraft has successfully completed over 40 takeoffs and landings, demonstrating its ability to transition smoothly from hover to high-speed cruise flight and back.

The drone takes off and lands vertically, similar to a helicopter, before shifting to forward horizontal flight, reaching a top speed of 86 knots (159 km/h or 98 mph).

“New control laws were developed to ensure seamless and efficient transition maneuvers. Data suggests the system can operate from pitching ship decks and unprepared terrain when scaled to larger sizes,” said Igor Cherepinsky, Director of Sikorsky Innovations.

The rotor blown wing is part of Sikorsky’s broader family of next-generation autonomous systems, all of which incorporate the company’s Matrix flight autonomy technology.

By Nazrin Sadigova